Services This Month
Friday Evening Shabbat Services
Friday, July 7 at 7:00 pm
Join us for joyful Shabbat evening services led by Rabbi Reice. We will be thanking outgoing Board members and installing the new Board of Trustees!
Save the Date! August 4 Friday Evening Shabbat Services
Friday, August 4 at 7:00 pm
Save the date for Services on August 4th!
Upcoming Events
Rabbi Reice Office Hours
July Office Hours (At Shir Ami, until otherwise noted)
6 Jul 2023 (17 Tamuz) 9 – 10:30am (Zoom Only) 💻
6 Jul 2023 (17 Tamuz) 1:30 – 6pm 💻 & 👫
11 Jul 2023 (22 Tamuz) 11am – 1pm (Zoom Only) 💻
13 Jul 2023 (24 Tamuz) 10am – 2pm (Shalom Austin Only) 👫
17 Jul 2023 (28 Tamuz) 9am – 12pm (Zoom Only) 💻
17 Jul 2023 (28 Tamuz) 2:30 – 5:30pm (Zoom Only) 💻
26 Jul 2023 (8 Av) 12 – 4pm (Zoom Only) 💻
28 Jul 2023 (10 Av) 12:30 – 2:30pm (Zoom Only) 💻
Days Off
3 Jul 2023 (14 Tamuz)
5 Jul 2023 (16 Tamuz)
10 Jul 2023 (21 Tamuz)
14 Jul 2023 (25 Tamuz)
18 Jul 2023 (29 Tamuz)
21 Jul 2023 (3 Av)
24 Jul 2023 (6 Av)
25 Jul 2023 (7 Av)
31 Jul 2023 (13 Av)
1 Aug 2023 (14 Av)
Office Closings
4 Jul 2023 (15 Tamuz) Office Closed - National Holiday
27 Jul 2023 (9 Av) Office Closed - Tisha B'Av
27 Jul 2023 (9 Av) Office Closed - Tisha B'Av
During Office hours, Rabbi Reice will be answering the phone, answering emails, and meeting with those who have scheduled an appointment (in person, over the phone or a video call). Please feel free to call or email Rabbi Reice during these times. (Of course, contact her, or our President, Alan Kook, immediately for more urgent matters.)
Please email our administrator, Rachel McEwen (administrator@shir-ami.com), to schedule an appointment in advance.
Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries in July
Happy Anniversary:
Amy & Paul Clift, July 3
Kimberly & Mark Stefanowicz, July 7
Rabbi Rebecca Reice & Asher Lazarus, July 25
Kimberly & Mark Stefanowicz, July 7
Rabbi Rebecca Reice & Asher Lazarus, July 25
Happy Birthday:
Elizabeth Coleman, July 10
Chris Grabish, July 15
Heather Levinsky, July 17
Jodie Billings, July 20
Jill Balagur-Conn, July 22
Chris Grabish, July 15
Heather Levinsky, July 17
Jodie Billings, July 20
Jill Balagur-Conn, July 22
Come Together for Havdalah Saturday, July 15 at 6:30 pm
We are happy to announce that Shir Ami is restarting the Havdalah dinner rotation! We are grateful to the Cohn family for volunteering to host this month's Havdalah. We will meet at 6:30 pm. They will provide a pasta entree, bread and salad. This potluck is dairy and parve. If you would like to attend please click here to RSVP and sign up to bring a side, dessert, or drinks. We will have water, juice, and soda. If anyone wants to bring beer or wine that is fine. The Cohns have a pool which will be open for anyone who wants to swim, kids are welcome, parents must watch children while swimming.
Next month we will hold Shabbat dinner at a member's house. The schedule will be to alternate Havdalah one month and Shabbat dinner the next. We are looking forward to the time we can spend together!
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting Sunday, July 16 at 10:30 am
All members are invited to attend the Board of Trustees meetings. If you would like to attend this meeting, or wish to speak at the meeting, please contact our President, Alan Kook, at congregation@shir-ami.com.
Dance FUNdraiser!
July 22, 4:00 pm
At the Arthur Murray Dance Studio
3010 Williams Dr #177, Georgetown, TX 78628
3010 Williams Dr #177, Georgetown, TX 78628
The cost is $40 per person OR $75 per couple.
Lessons are for two or three dances
depending on time.
Lessons are for two or three dances
depending on time.
After class we can go out to dinner as a
group (not included in price.)
group (not included in price.)
Happy Bookers Book Club
Saturday, July 22 at 10:30 am
Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: In-person and via Zoom
Book: Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman, 336 pages
About the Book
National Best Seller ∙“A richly textured portrait . . . an intimate look at a closed Orthodox community.”—"Los Angeles Times” Book Review. • National Book Award Finalist • A “New York Times" Notable Book
In the summer of 1976, the Shulmans and the Melissa's migrate to Kaaterskill, the tiny town in New York’s Catskills Mountains where Orthodox Jews and Yankee year-rounders live side by side from June through August. Elizabeth Shulman is a restless wife and mother of five daughters whose imagination transcends her cloistered community. Across the street, Andras Melish is drawn to Kaaterskill by his adoring older sisters. Comforted, yet crippled by his sisters’ love, he cannot overcome his ambivalence toward his children and young wife. At the top of the hill, Rav Kirshner is nearing the end of his life. As he struggles to decide which of his sons should succeed him—the pious but stolid Isaiah or the brilliant but rebellious Jeremy—his followers wrestle with their future and their past.
About the Author
Allegra Goodman weaves magic. The nationally bestselling author of The Family Markowitz crafts a tale of family and tradition—one that confirms this author’s place as a virtuoso of her generation. Allegra Goodman wrote and illustrated her first novel at the age of seven. Raised a Conservative Jew, Allegra Goodman was born in Brooklyn. NY and raised in Hawaii. Her mother, who died in 1996, was a professor of genetics and women’s studies, then assistant vice president at the University of Hawaii at Manoa before moving on to Vanderbilt University. Her father is a professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt. Allegra Goodman holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD. In English Literature from Stanford University. She and her husband David Karger, a professor in computer science at MIT, live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have four children. Allegra Goodman’s latest novel, SAM, came out early this year.
National Best Seller ∙“A richly textured portrait . . . an intimate look at a closed Orthodox community.”—"Los Angeles Times” Book Review. • National Book Award Finalist • A “New York Times" Notable Book
In the summer of 1976, the Shulmans and the Melissa's migrate to Kaaterskill, the tiny town in New York’s Catskills Mountains where Orthodox Jews and Yankee year-rounders live side by side from June through August. Elizabeth Shulman is a restless wife and mother of five daughters whose imagination transcends her cloistered community. Across the street, Andras Melish is drawn to Kaaterskill by his adoring older sisters. Comforted, yet crippled by his sisters’ love, he cannot overcome his ambivalence toward his children and young wife. At the top of the hill, Rav Kirshner is nearing the end of his life. As he struggles to decide which of his sons should succeed him—the pious but stolid Isaiah or the brilliant but rebellious Jeremy—his followers wrestle with their future and their past.
About the Author
Allegra Goodman weaves magic. The nationally bestselling author of The Family Markowitz crafts a tale of family and tradition—one that confirms this author’s place as a virtuoso of her generation. Allegra Goodman wrote and illustrated her first novel at the age of seven. Raised a Conservative Jew, Allegra Goodman was born in Brooklyn. NY and raised in Hawaii. Her mother, who died in 1996, was a professor of genetics and women’s studies, then assistant vice president at the University of Hawaii at Manoa before moving on to Vanderbilt University. Her father is a professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt. Allegra Goodman holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD. In English Literature from Stanford University. She and her husband David Karger, a professor in computer science at MIT, live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have four children. Allegra Goodman’s latest novel, SAM, came out early this year.
Shir Ami News
Mi Shebeirach
Our Prayers for the Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Healing for those named and any others in need.
Please email Rabbi Reice at rreice@shir-ami.com to enter a name on the list or remove a name from the list.
Mona Bailey, Jodie Billings, Sam Billings, Bill Bitner, LeRoy Bitner, Darin Burdman, Maple Cohn, Lisa Coopersmith, Anne Ditlefsen-Smallwood, Sandra Dietz, Julie Eaton, Glen Fine, Lynn Gelber, Carol Goldmark, Juliet Clare Grabish, Yarrow Halstead, Barry Henthorn, Jo Ella Henthorn, Pam Henthorn, Tom Henthorn, Molly Jacobi, Kate Koons, Bill Kurtz, Liana Lawrence, William Lenz, Rabbi Mark Levin, Kay Moore, Skylar Stefanowicz, Trystan Stefanowicz, Cindy Tarsi (Chasye Chana bat Laya Raizel v’Avraham Yitzchak HaLevi), Jim Tarsi, Miles Ward, Julian Ward, James Whitehouse, Carole Wood, Bonnie Zimmer
Shir Ami and Drive a Senior Northwest – Partners in Supporting our Older Adults
Volunteer Drivers Needed
Please consider becoming a volunteer driver for the Drive a Senior Northwest program. By offering to drive someone just one or two short trips a month, you will be an unbelievable help to our many older adults still living at home in the northwest Austin/Cedar Park/Leander area. Driving an older adult is incredibly rewarding and very much appreciated. Please go online to driveaseniornorthwest.org to read about the program, then print a volunteer form, fill it out, and mail it in. Or ask Sara Goodman (sgoodman123@gmail.com) for more information about the program.
Please consider becoming a volunteer driver for the Drive a Senior Northwest program. By offering to drive someone just one or two short trips a month, you will be an unbelievable help to our many older adults still living at home in the northwest Austin/Cedar Park/Leander area. Driving an older adult is incredibly rewarding and very much appreciated. Please go online to driveaseniornorthwest.org to read about the program, then print a volunteer form, fill it out, and mail it in. Or ask Sara Goodman (sgoodman123@gmail.com) for more information about the program.
Services to Adults 60+
If you or a loved one is 60+ and needs help to stay in your/their home, Drive A Senior Northwest is here for you. Services include rides to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, community activities, etc. as well as minor home repair, telephone reassurance, and a twice monthly senior day out. Contact Drive a Senior Northwest at driveaseniornorthwest.org or (512) 250-5021.
If you or a loved one is 60+ and needs help to stay in your/their home, Drive A Senior Northwest is here for you. Services include rides to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, community activities, etc. as well as minor home repair, telephone reassurance, and a twice monthly senior day out. Contact Drive a Senior Northwest at driveaseniornorthwest.org or (512) 250-5021.
The Caring Circle - Care to Get Involved?
Lending a helping hand to members in times of stress is a vital part of any congregation; kind and caring volunteers in this group help provide support to other Shir Ami congregants in times of life's challenges such as illness, death, divorce, and birth. Specific activities include helping to secure a minyan for a memorial or shiva service, sending notes to members on the loss of a loved one, arranging transportation for a member to attend services or other Shir Ami events, and providing meals, visiting or calling congregants during times of illness or post-hospitalization.
If you are experiencing any of these challenges and wish to be contacted by the Caring Circle, please contact Rabbi Reice. If you wish to be a Caring Circle volunteer, please contact Sara Goodman at CaringCircle@Shir-Ami.com. All are welcome!
Community News
Jewish Film Festival
The San Antonio Jewish Film Festival and the Austin Jewish Film Festival are proud to co-present the 2023 Summer Series from May 28—September 3, featuring eight great new films and bonus content such as exclusive interviews with the filmmakers to keep you entertained all summer!
In honor of Israel’s 75th birthday, all films in this year’s Summer Series are Israeli, and for most of these films this will be their Texas premiere.
You may purchase tickets to individual films for $15 each (all fees included) or a Summer Series Pass to all movies for just $85 (all fees included). Another option is to buy an AJFF365 Subscription, which will give you free access to all of these movies plus all other AJFF365 events for a full twelve months.
Pride Parade with Temple Beth Shalom
August 12
Temple Beth Shalom has invited members of Shir Ami to march behind their banner in the Pride Parade. If you are interested in participating please contact Francis Perez, francis.perez@bethshalomaustin.org, for more details.
Free JCC Membership
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Get a FREE JCC Membership With Renew Active
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The JCC is the fitness center at Shalom Austin. Renew Active and Medicare One Pass will pay for your JCC membership! The JCC has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare insurance-covered memberships for seniors (65+) through a program called Renew Active.
To get started, email membership@shalomaustin.org or call 512-735-8001 with your Renew Active ID and phone number. |
Jewish Family Services Caregiver Support Groups
Family Caregiver Support Group: This is an ongoing group and meets the first and third Thursday of each month. It is a safe place for family members caring for adult loved ones to discuss the stresses, challenges, and rewards of caregiving. To register, click here
Digital Mood & Mindfulness with Jewish Family Service
Do you feel distracted? Hurried? Preoccupied? This personal development workshop will teach mindfulness techniques that can help participants to be more present and aware in daily life. Mindfulness has the power to improve relationships, increase self-control, boost productivity and can lessen depression and anxiety.
Join Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service’s professionally-facilitated workshop to develop mindfulness skills and discuss common experiences together.
Second Tuesday of each month at 11AM
Via Zoom
Free to attend
Via Zoom
Free to attend
For more information and to register to receive the link, please contact Emma Howitt, LPC-S, LCDC at emma.howitt@shalomaustin.org.
Volunteer for Shalom Austin JFS Food Pantry
The Client Choice Shalom Austin JFS Food Pantry is always looking to engage volunteers in food drives, packing food bags, and making deliveries. Anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity, can email Joan Eisenberg Maniere at joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.
Also, if you know of any community members who are facing food insecurity, please have them contact Joan, and she can get them enrolled into the program.
Interest Free Loans
Hebrew Free Loan of Austin provides short-term financial support for members of the Austin Jewish community through interest-free loans that springboard you to your next step in life. Could you or someone you know use a hand-up with an interest free loan? Contact info@hfla.org or visit https://hebrewfreeloanofaustin.org.
Operation Todah Texas
For more information about how to participate, please visit https://www.shir-ami.com/operationtodahtexas
Sun, August 10 2025 16 Av 5785
Congregation Shir Ami
P.O. Box 3716 | Cedar Park, TX 78630-3716
512-843-3539
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